The pile of rocks by the road northeast of Borrego Springs, where County Rte S22 takes a 90-degree turn east, is actually a monument to Thomas Long ‘Peg Leg’ Smith – mountain man, fur trapper, horse thief, con artist and Wild West legend. He passed through Borrego Springs in 1829 and allegedly picked up some rocks that were later found to be pure gold. Strangely, when he returned during the Gold Rush era, he was unable to locate the lode. Nevertheless, he told lots of prospectors about it (often in exchange for a few drinks) and many came to search for the ‘lost’ gold and add to the myths.
